Roadwise States California Driving lessons Crossing traffic & passing California driving lesson · Turns, Merging & Parking
Crossing traffic & passing A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Turns, Merging & Parking
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 30, 31 Entering, crossing and passing all require judging space and time. The handbook gives specific gap sizes and a list of places where passing is off-limits.
To merge, enter, or exit traffic, you need a space that is: Half a block on city streets (about 150 feet) A full block on the highway (about 300 feet) Handbook p. 30 ↗ Know the rule
When entering traffic from a full stop, signal and leave enough space to get up to the speed of traffic.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ Know the rule
Even on a green light, do not start across an intersection if pedestrians or vehicles are blocking your path.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ Know the rule
When turning left, do not assume an oncoming vehicle with its right signal on will turn before reaching you. Wait for it to start its turn.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ ⅓ mile A hill or curve should be at least this far ahead to pass safely
Handbook p. 30 ↗ Do not pass: When approaching a hill or curve and you cannot see if traffic is coming Within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous area At crossroads and driveways Unless you have enough space to return to your lane Handbook p. 30 ↗ Know the rule
Before passing, judge your space whenever you approach an oncoming vehicle or bicyclist, a hill, curve, intersection, or road obstruction.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ To pass on an open highway: Signal that you plan to pass Look over your shoulder to check your blind spots Drive into the passing lane Speed up to pass the vehicle Signal and return to your original lane Handbook p. 31 ↗ You may pass on the right only when: An open highway has two or more lanes going your direction The driver ahead is turning left and you can safely pass on the right You are on a one-way street Handbook p. 31 ↗ Know the rule
Never pass on the left if the driver ahead is signaling a left turn. Never drive off the paved or main-traveled part of the road to pass.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ Know the rule
If a vehicle is passing you or signals it plans to, allow it to pass. Maintain your lane position and speed.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ Put it into practice
On a two-lane road, a slow truck is ahead and a bridge is coming up. You're about 80 feet from the bridge. Don't pass: passing is not allowed within 100 feet of a bridge. Wait until you are past it and have enough room.
A useful reminder Gap sizes: city ≈ 150 ft (half block), highway ≈ 300 ft (full block).
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
About how much space, in feet, do you need to enter or cross traffic on a city street (half a block)? About 50 feet About 300 feet About 150 feet About 500 feet Answer: About 150 feet
Entering or crossing traffic on a city street needs about half a block, roughly 150 feet.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ About how much space do you need to enter or cross highway traffic (a full block)? About 150 feet About 600 feet About 1,000 feet About 300 feet Answer: About 300 feet
Entering or crossing highway traffic needs about a full block, roughly 300 feet.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ To safely pass on a hill or curve, how far ahead should you be able to see? At least 1/3 mile At least one mile At least 100 feet At least 1,000 feet Answer: At least 1/3 mile
The hill or curve should be visible for at least one-third of a mile before passing.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ Within how many feet of an intersection, bridge, or railroad crossing should you not pass? 25 feet 100 feet 500 feet 50 feet Answer: 100 feet
Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous area.
Handbook p. 30 ↗ You approach a driver ahead who is turning left. When may you pass them on the right? Never; passing on the right is always illegal Only on freeways with 3+ lanes When you can safely pass on the right By using the paved shoulder Answer: When you can safely pass on the right
You may pass on the right when the driver ahead is turning left and you can safely do so.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ If a vehicle is passing you, what should you do? Speed up to prevent being passed Move onto the shoulder Slow down sharply Keep your lane and speed Answer: Keep your lane and speed
If being passed, maintain your lane position and speed to allow the vehicle to pass safely.
Handbook p. 31 ↗ Previous lesson Merging onto & exiting highways Next lesson Parallel parking, backing & hill parking More in Turns, Merging & Parking About the source Roadwise’s California course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 30, 31. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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